Loading machine



2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Feb. 13, 1923.

J. VI. LONDON.

LOADING MACHINE.

FLED MALZ, 192|.

l N. mk QM NMK am.. Hum-M WWA/fases 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l. M. LONDON.

LOADING IVIACHNE.

FILED MAR.2, |921.

Feu. 1s, 1923.

WIT/VESSES l` /V 4.

Patented Pelo.. lll, i923.

JACOB Tri. LONBON, OF BUTLER, PENNSYLVANA, ASSG'NOR OF @NE-HALF TO GEORGE M. CRAVLTFORD, Cli PT'ISBURG-H, PENESYLVANA.

nonnina rMacri nn.

Toul?, inkom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, JACOB M. Lennon, a citizen of the United Staten, residing at Butler, in the county of Butler, State or' Penn Sylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Loading Machines, of which theiollowing is a specification.

rihis invention is for a coal loading machine 'for use in mines, and relates particularly to a loading' machine for gathering coal where a straight wall cutter 7 has been employed to loosenthe coal, but which may be used where the coal is loosened in any way.

ln machines for gathering and loading Coal diiiiculty has been encountered in de* vising machines capable of getting the coal out of corners and from alongl the side oif a stra-ight wall. It is the primary object of the present invention to pro-vide a loader which can be used to l.gather the coal on any point of the mine iioor, including` corners and along straight walls or faces.

'further important object is to provide a simple scoop actuating; means for allowing` the scoop to move past the coal when traveling' in one direction and for extending itselt to Qjather the coal when moved in the opposite direction.

Further objects are to provide an extenn sible scoop carrying member which may he swung to various angles and to provide an improved conveyor Jfor receiving the coal from the scoop and delivering,` it to a car or 35 other suitable receptacle.

These and other objects are attained by my invent-ion illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

l is a pla-n View of a mach-ine constructed in accordance with in v invention;

Fig'. 2 is a side elevation thereof, hut with the scoop and scoop supporting' 'frame removed;

Figqfl is a diagrammatic view indicating a horizontal section through a mine, show ing .some of the various operating` positions of the machine;

4 is a section on a larger scale on line 4 4 of Fig. l. but with the scoop arm swungl at right angles to the position shown in Fig'. l;

a transverse section on line -Vlll of Fig. 5. T3 J! A' U r ncieiilng te the drawings. o indicates longitudinal trame memheisj such as la. is, supported on wheels 6 on arles 7 and o. i t the rear ol the trame members are vertical supports 9. iriavingr its rear end secured to the top ot the vertical supports 9 and having' its front portion supported liy the 'trame members il, is an inclined chute indicated generally by numeral l0. rl`hc chute `comprises relatively high side plates 'll and fiat hottoin plate 12.

iffinged to the JFront lower end ofthe chute at, lil a swinging plate 14, having,` suitable angle bar braces therefor, and adapted to have its 1Free end engage the door et the mine. reason ot' the hinges, it can adjust itself: to the rough places or ineo alities in the door, and can be raised when the machine is hcinp; moved along' the ground. in the hinged plate a slot in which .is a shezwe lo, while a second sheave 16 is located at the other end o'!I the trough.

tllidahly guided in the chute l0 is a pusher or conveyor inemher 17, comprisingr a pushingface or plate 1S. a bottom flange i8 thereon. crut-awayv sides 19, and an inclined liracingr and ,iratheriner portion 20. @n the middle of Hansje i8 is ay forwardly extending' tongue 2l to which an operating` cable 22 is secured. which cable passes over sheave 1G. second operating? cahle Q3 is connected with the pusher and passes around sheave l5. i

Supported in the rear portie olE the iframe are two parallel shaifts and 2G. lhaiit 25 is driven by a motor 27 siuiported in the iframe throng-h shaft 27 and suitable worm gearing in housingv 52TH. Oliviousif-f. however, other arrangements for the driving mechanism could be easily provided. Shaft 26 is driven hy shaft 25 through a F" passino' over sprockets near one chain 2f A* end ot the shaits, the arrangement being sponding drums 28 and 29. The drums are adapted to be rotatably connected with the shaits by means ot cone clutches, as indicated. The purpose ot the drums will be hereinafter more fully described, but in this invention, it is desired that when drum 28 or 29 is being driven, corresponding drum 28 or 29 will he disconnected trom driving relation from the shaft 26, and vice versa.

In order to so opera-te the clutches of drums 2S and 28 l provide a lever 30, pivoted at 3i, having `suitable feathers thereon for shifting the clutches, the clutch and feather tor drum 28 being indicated at 28a, and for drum 28 at 28".

Connected to one end of lever 3() is a transrerscly extending link 32 which is connected at its other end to a substantially vertical ypivoted operating handle 33. When handle 33 is rocked, lever f3() will also'be roclred about pivot 31. This causes the feathers and clutches 28"L and 2Sb to be moved in opposite directions, moving one into engagement with its respective drum lwhile the other moves out oit' engagement, a neutral position,`however, being provided. `Drums 29 and 29 are similarly controlled by lever 34, oivoted at 35, and connected with operat ing lever- 26 adjacent the operating lever The feather and clutches for drums 29 and 29 are indicated at 29n and 29b respectively.

Cable 23, passing around sheave 15, eX- vtends under the chute around suitable sheaves 37, and is secured to drum 29; Cable 22, passing around sheaves 16, is guided around other suitable sheaves 38 and is secured to drum 29; Vith the pusher or conveyor in. the position shown in -Figs `l and 2, operating handle 36 would be moved to shift feather and clutch 29b into driving relation with the shaft 26, at the same time, disconnecting drum 29 from driving relation with shaft 25. With the motor 27 in operation, this causes cable 22 to be wound onto the'drum 29 while cable 23 is unwound from drum 29. This causes the conveyor or pusher to move up the chute to discharge any coal that has been gathered into the chute at the end thereof. By reverse operation of the operating handle 36, the bucket or pusher may be returned to the position shown, and the lever then moved to neutral position.

A reciprocating conveyor operated in the manner described requires a. minimum height and 'materially reduces the height ot the frame, so that the machine may be built and used for loading very low coal. This rannot be readily done where endless conveyors are used, because several inches of height are necessary for the rollers to support such aconveyor. v p

For gathering loose coal or material into the lower end of the chute, I provide a scooping mechanism which willnow be described. Extending along beside the body frame member 5 is an additional I-beain 5. Slidable on the two l-beams iv and 5', as shown in Fig. `4, is a plate 40 having lcuide members 41 on the under side thereo by means oit' which the plate is guided on the I-beams. Mounted on the plate 40 is a vertically projeeting pin or `hingbolt 42 which passes through plate 48 resting on plate 40. lt also passes through plate `44 between which and plate 43 are clamped two parallel sections ot tube 45 or other suitable' iframe members. which extend outuf'ard horizontally, this arrangement permitting the tubes, together with plates 43 'and 44, to pivot about the king bolt 42. On the top of plate 44 are three sheaves 46, 47 and 48,'withV a cover plate 49 therefor.`

Telescoping within tube sections 45, the ends of which are bevelled at 45', 'are other parallel tube's 45a, the outer ends of which are clamped or otherwise secured in an end member :70. The end member 50 has a laterally extending ground plate 5l in which is a lsocket 52 for the reception of a base of a. post or jack (not shown), the top of the post being wedged against the top or walls, in a manner well understood, to secure the ground plate against movement.. Mounted in the end member 50ris\a.sheave 53.

lleciprocable along the supporting trame provided by tubes or trame members and 45a is a carriage, indicated generally by 55. which preferably comprises upper and lower plates 56 and 57, having side guide rollers 5S mounted therebetween, and having a single central guide roller 59. The rollers are so arranged that the carriage may ride over the beveled ends of tubes Mounted on the upper face of plate 56 is a turn-table Mihai/'ing an upwardly projecting portion thereon in which isl `adjustably secured a bar or scoop carrying arm 60, a loelrbolt 58 or other suitablefclamping means preferably being eu'iployed. An annular flanged member 59 is secured to pli/te rilhe thingie serves asa bearing iter the scoop arm 60 to rest on and. to prevent any tendency ot the turn-table to rock. Projecting from the turn-table at right angles to the scoop arm 60, are arms 6l and 6l having` pins 62 thereon. rilie arm 60 has pins 60 thereon, and a curved scoop 6()a at one end.

Passing from drum 2S around suit-able and passing around sheaves 65 and sheaves v62. llllawing one end secured to drum 28 t6 end is a cable 68 having its other' end provided with a loop or other suitable tastening `means passed over one of the pins G0 on the scoop arm. Thus it will be seen that the cables are eccentrically connected with the turn-table relatively to the center of rotation. l

ln operation, assuming thevparts to be in position shown in Fig. l, with the scoop in the dotted line position, the arm Gl will be turned at an angle to the tubes 4.5 insteadot being parallel therewith, as 4shown in iull line position, by reason oic the Ytact that the turn-table, on which `arm 6l iscarried, rotates with the scoop arm. Qperating lever is moved to drive drum 28 and release drum 28 in the manner described. Cable 66 then begins to wind about the drum. This first tends to pull arm 61 around to a position parallel with pipes 45, swinging the scoop in an arc. As the cable continues to wind, thecarriage `travels toward the end of the chute, and scoops the coal or material into the chute. To prevent the carriage from moving without iirst swinging the scoop t0 the full line position when the resistance oiteredby the coal is great, a brake engaging one of the tubesand an operating lever ZO is provided. The brake may be conA structed as shown in Fig. 8 and may comprise a suitable shoe 70a arranged t-o be raised and lowered by lever 70 through a suitable connection 70. The attendant, upon seeing the carriage move first, may operate the brake to prevent such movement until the scoop has been turned to a position at right angles to the tubes 45.

l/Vhen the carriage has reached the limit of travel 'and scooped the coal into the lower end of the chute, the lever 33 is shifted to drive drum 28 to thereby `wind up cable 68. `The eccentric pull on the scoop bar G0 lirst tends to swing it to a diagonal position corresponding to the dotted line position in Fig. l. After having been so swung, the carriage 55 travels to its outermost position, the scoop being turned so that it will not collect the coal. Thus, with every reciprocation of the carriage in opposite directions, the scoop is partially rotated in opposite directions.

By changing the end of cable 66 to the. pins on the scoop and connecting the loop on .cable 68 to one of the pins on arm 6l', the scoop may be made to turn at an angle that is just the opposite to that shown in the dotted line position in Fig. l, which is the position indicated at o in Fig. 3. ln thisposition, the scoop drags past the coal on its outward movement.

By referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen how the device can gather coal along the sides of a straight 4wall and rake it into the lower portion of the chute. Byrreason ot the telescoping connection between tubes l5 and 45,

the scoop can be projected into corners, and by reason of the swinging movement ot the carriage carrying frame, relatively to the body, it can be operated at various angles to the front and sides of the body. Vhen working on the side et the machine oppositeto that on which the slidable trame supporting means is located, the lool; bolt 58 may be loosened, the scoop arm removed, the scoop inverted, and the scoop arm inserted in the turn-table from the opposite direction, whereby the scoop will project from `the opn posite side of the carriage` supporting traine, as indicated at Z) and in Fig. 3, without reversing the operation of the machine.

llVhen sulicient coal has been gathered into the lower end of the chute, the conveyor or pusher is operated in the manner hereinbefore described to push the coal along the chute ,to the upper end thereof, where it is pushed out and into a suitable. car, not shown. Obviously, other forms ot convey-- ors might be used.

lt will be noted ythat sheave 48 does not. as shown in the drawings, guide any cable. This shearve, however, is usedwhen the sliding frame is transferred to the other side of the machine, as it may be, and pulley -lG would not then be used. By having the scoop carrying frame slidable on the loader frame members 5 and 5', the scoop ame can be drawn `up alongside the truck when the machine is being moved and will not project tothe front.

The machine may be self-propelled by means of a chain 7 5 passing over a sprocket on axle25 and on axle 7, with anysuitable clutch, not shown, being provided on the axle. During the operation, the scoop frame is kept from swinging by a suitable post en gaging the wall or roof ot the mine .and ground plate 5].. The attendant shifts this post from time to time, as it becomes neces sary to swing the scoop frame about. Obviously, other means than posts or jacks for positioning` the scoop carrying frame could be provided.

lllhile l have described my invention for use in mines, it may also be advantageously used for gathering` loose material of any kind.

It will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A loading machine comprising` a. conveyor and a reciprocable scoop tor gathering material and delivering it to the conveyor, and means whereby the scoop maybe reciprocated at various horizontal angles relatively to the conveyor.

2. A loading machine comprising a` conveyor, a power driven reciprocable scooping l l O means, and means whereby the scooping means may be swung'horizontally about a vertical axis around the conveyor,

3. A loading machine comprising a conveyor, a reciprocable scooping means, means for supporting the scooping means, said supporting` means being movable longitudinally of the conveyor and pivoted to swing horizontally to said conveyor.

et. A loading machine comprising aV conveyor and a reciprocable scoop, a supporting ltrame for the scoop, and means whereby the scoop may be turned about a vertical axis at various angles to the supporting frame.

5. A loading machine comprising a conveyor, and a reciprocable scoop. a supporting irame lor the scoop, means whereby the scoop may be turned at various angles to the supi'iorting i'ramc, and n'leiniswhereby the supporting frame may be swung horizontally about a vertical axis relatively tothe G. A loading machine comprising a conveyor and a rcciprocablescoop, a supporting traine for the scoop, means whereby the scoop may be turned at various angles to the supporting frame, and means whereby the supporting frame `may be swung horizontally about the conveyor, or moved longitudinally relatively thereto.

7. A loading machine comprising a conveyor and a reciprocable scoop, a supporting trame lor the scoop, means whereby the scoop may be turned about a vertical axis at various angles relatively to the supporting "trame, means for. reciprocating' the scoop, and means lor turning the scoop.

8. A loading machine comprising a conveyor and a reciprocable scoop, a supporting iframe for the scoop, means whereby the scoop may be turned at various angles relatively to the supporting frame, means for reciprocating the scoop, said means being adapted to position the scoop at one angle when the scoop is moved 1n one direction and at a diiferent angle when the scoop is moved in the opposite direction.

9. A loading machine comprising a. body frame, a conveyor mounted on the body lra'me, a pivotally supported scoop carrying trame, a carriage on said trame, a scoop secured to the carriage, and means for reciprocating the carriage.

10. A loading machine comlirising a body, a conveyor onA the body, a pivotally supported trame, a carriage on the iframe, ascoop rotatably supported on the carriage, and cables eccentrically connected with the rotatable scoop for moving the carriage and efecting a partial rotation of the scoop.

11. A loading machine comprising a conveyor and a reciprocable scoop, an extensible supporting traine for the scoop, and means for reciprocating the scoop along the frame.

12. A loading machine comprising a conveyor and a reciprocable scoop, an extensible support-ing frame pivotally mounted adjacent the conveyor on which the scoop is reciprocated", and means for turning the scoop at various angles relatively to the supporting trame.

13. A loading machine comprising a body, a conveyor on the body, a pivotally supported trame. a carriage o-n the frame, a scoop secured to the carriage, cables for moving the carriage, and means on the body lor winding the cables to effect a reciprocation or' the carriage.

lil. A loading machine comprising a body, a conveyor -on the body, a pivotally supported irameon the body, a carriage reciprocable on the trame, a scoop rotatably supported on the carriage, cables connected with the scoop eccentrica-Hy to the cent-er orf rotation of the scoop, and means on the body for winding the cables for reciprocating the scoop and effecting a partial-rotation thereof with each reciprocation thereof.

15. A loading machine-comprising a body, a conveyor on the body, a pivotally sup- Aported `frame on the body, a carriage reciprocable on the iframe, a turn-table on the carriage, a scoop carryingarm secured to the turn-table, a plurality of means at diflerent angles to each other and eccentric to the center of rotation of the turn-table with which cables may be connected, cables adapted to be connected 'with the desired ones oi said cable attaching means, and means for winding the desired cable to eilect the reciprocation of the carriage and apartial rotation of the scoop.`

16. A loading machine comprising a body, a conveyor on the body, a pivotally supported frame on the body, a carriage reciprocable on the frame, a scoop rotatably sup ported on the carriage, a pair of cables lor reciprocatingthe carriage, and means on the body comprising a pair of drums, a driv ing means theretor, and means whereby one drum may be driven to wind the cable while the other is disconnected `from driving relation from the driving means.

17. A. loading machine comprisinga body, a chute on the body, a reciproca-ble conveyor in the chute, a pair ot cables for reciprocating the conveyor, a frame supported on the body, a carriage reciprocable on the trame, a scoop carried by the carriage, -a pair of cables connected with the carriage for reciprocating it, a pair of shafts jourA nalled in the body, means for driving the shafts, a pair oi drums on each of the shafts, one oi the conveyor reciprocating cables being attached lto one of the drums on one shaft, the other of the conveyor reciprocating cables being attached to one of the drums on the other shaft, on-e of the two carriage reciprocating cables being connected with one of the other drums on one shaft and the other-one of the carriage reciprocating cables being attached to the other drum on the other shaft.

18. A loading machine comprising abody, a chute on the body, a reciprocable conveyor in the chute, a pair of cables for reciprocating the conveyor supported on the body, a carriage reciprocable on the frame, a scoop carried by the carriage, a pair ot' cables connected with the carriage for reciprocating it, a pair of shafts journalled in the body, means for driving the shafts, a pair of drums on each of the shafts, one of the conveyor reciprocating cables being attached to one of the drums on one shaft, the other of the conveyor reciprocating cables being attached to one of the drums on the other shaft, one of the two carriage reciprocating cables being connected with one of the other drums on one shaft and the other one of the carriage reciprocating cables being attached to the other drum on the other sha-ft, clutches for each of the drums, and means whereby the clutches for the two conveyor operating drums may be Simultaneously shifted in opposite directions, and other means whereby the clutches for the carriage reciprocating drums may be simultaneously shifted in opposite directions.

19. A loading machine comprising a body, a conveyor on the body, a pivotally supported frame on the body, a carriage reciprocable on the frame, a scoop rotatably supported on the carriage, cables connected with the scoop eccentrically of the center of rotation thereof, means on the body for winding the cables to reciprocate the carriage and effect a partial rotation of the scoop, and a brake on the carriage Jfor engaging the frame operable for preventing reciprocating movement of the carriage Vprior to the rotation thereof.

20. A loading machine comprising a body, a chute on the body of substantially the same length as the loading machine body, a revciprocable conveyor in the chute operable throughout the greater portion of the length of the chute, means for gathering coal into one end of the chute, and means for recipu rocating the conveyor to eject the coal from the opposite end of the chute.

2l. A loading machine comprising a body, a chute on the body substantially co-extensive with the length of the machine, a reciprocable conveyor in the chute comprising a pushing face and side plates opera-ble throughout the greater portion of the length of the chute, means for scooping coal into the lower end of the chute over the conveyor, and means 'for operating the co1 veyor for moving the coal along the chute to the delivery end thereof.

22. A loading machine comprising a body, a chute on the body, a reciprocable conveyor in the chute, means for gathering coal into one end of the chute, and means for reciprocating the conveyor to eject the coal from the opposite end of the chute, said means comprising a. pair of drums, a cable connected to the conveyor and to one drum, a second cable connected to the conveyor and other drum, means for driving the drums, and means whereby one drum may be thrown out of driving relation with the driving means when the other is being driven.

23. A loading machine comprising a. body, a conveyor on the body, a scoop carrying frame, attaching means at one end of the frame by means of which the frame may be pvotally attached to supporting means on the body, and supporting means at each side of the body Onto which the attaching means may be placed, whereby said iframe may be pivotally supported at either side of th body.

In testimony whereof I atx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB M. LONDON. 

